Improvement in rotary steam-engines



W. DRAM. Rotary Steam- Engines;

Patented May 13, 1873.

Inventor AM PHOTD -LITHDERAPHIC ca 1y. 2((usaamvs's macgss) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM OBAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN ROTARY STEAM-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 138,864, dated May 13, 1873; application filed March 8, 1873. v

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM ORAM, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Rotary Steam-Engine, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is an end view of my improved engine, the cylinder-head being removed. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the inner side of one of the cylinder-heads. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the forward end of the engine. Fig. 4 is a side view of the engine.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has for its object to furnish an improved rotary steam-engine, which shall be so constructed as to relieve the shaft from all side pressure, and thus diminish the friction and the consequent wear. The invention consists in the improvement of rotary steamengines, as hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

A represents the cylinder, which is made elliptical in form, and to its ends are secured the heads B in the ordinary manner. shaft, to which, within the-cylinder A,is secured a cylindrical drum, D, of such a size as to revolve in the said cylinder A, a space being left upon the opposite sides of the drum D for the steam. In the opposite sides of the drum D are formed deep longitudinal grooves to receive the valves or pistons E, upon the inner part of the end edges of which are formed pivots F, which enter elliptical guidegrooves Gr formed in the inner surfaces of the heads B, which are so formed as to hold the O is the outer edges of the pistons E out close against the inner surface of the cylinder A. H are the inlet-ports, two of which are used, and which are formed in the opposite sides of the cylinder A, and which are provided with slidevalves 1 in the ordinary manner. J are the valve-stems, which are connected by a crossbar or yoke, K, so that the said valves may move together. With the yoke K is connected one end of a lever, L, which is pivoted to a bracket attached to the cylinder-head B, or to some other suitable support. The inner end of the lever L projects into such aposition as to rest upon the cam-wheel M attached to the shaft 0, against which it is held by a spring,

N. The lever L may also be provided with a spring-stop, O, to receive it as it drops from the shoulders of the cams.

By this construction the steam will be received upon the opposite sides of the cylinder, so as to balance the engine and prevent side pressure.

By adjusting the lever L the steam may be cut oft at any desired point of the stroke.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The combinationof the cross-bar or yoke K, the lever L, spring N, and cam-wheel M, with the shaft 0 and stems J of the two valves I, substantially as herein shown and described.

WILLIAM ORAM.

Witnesses:

E. SHIPMAN, WM. F. W001). 

